# Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Science
**Wikidata**: [Q55649755](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q55649755)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alexander-silberman-institute-of-life-science

## Summary
The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Science is a research institute at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, founded in 1960. It is dedicated to biological research and is part of the university's Faculty of Science, with approximately 900 students. The institute is located on the Givat Ram campus in Jerusalem.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of:** Research institute (an organization whose primary purpose is research)
- **Founded:** 1960
- **Location:** Jerusalem, Israel (coordinates: 31.77252311634691, 35.19678756431225)
- **Parent Organization:** Part of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Science
- **Student Count:** Approximately 900
- **Website:** http://www.bio.huji.ac.il (in Hebrew)
- **Official Aliases:** The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Science
- **Identifiers:** GND ID: 1228053316; VIAF ID: 127208195; Ringgold ID: 98520; GEPRIS Organization ID: 185637313; National Library of Israel J9U ID: 987007257375305171; ResearchGate Institute ID: Hebrew_University_of_Jerusalem/department/Alexander_Silberman_Institute_for_Life_Sciences
- **Image:** PikiWiki Israel 3992 givat ram campus.jpg on Wikimedia Commons
- **Wikipedia Coverage:** Has a Wikipedia article in Hebrew (sitelink_count: 1)

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of the Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Science?
A: Its primary purpose is to conduct research in the life sciences. As a dedicated research institute, it focuses on generating new knowledge through systematic investigation, distinct from the combined teaching and research mission of a university.

### Q: How is the institute connected to the Hebrew University?
A: It is an integral part of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, specifically under its Faculty of Science. This relationship provides an academic framework and resources, while the institute maintains a specialized focus on biological research.

### Q: What are the main academic departments within the institute?
A: The institute comprises several key departments, including the Department of Genetics, the Department of Biological Chemistry, and the Department of Neurobiology. These departments represent its core research areas.

## Why It Matters
The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Science serves as a dedicated engine for discovery in the biological sciences within Israel's premier academic institution. By concentrating resources and talent purely on research, it provides a environment where scientists can pursue fundamental, long-term investigations into complex biological processes. Its work contributes to advancing knowledge in critical areas like genetics, biochemistry, and neurobiology, which have broad implications for medicine, agriculture, and technology. As part of the Hebrew University, it bridges the gap between pure academic inquiry and higher education, training the next generation of scientists while pushing the boundaries of life science research.

## Notable For
- Being a specialized research institute within Israel's leading university, distinguished from general academic departments by its exclusive research focus.
- Housing multiple, distinct life science departments (Genetics, Biological Chemistry, Neurobiology) under one organizational umbrella.
- Its specific identification across numerous international library and research databases (GND, VIAF, Ringgold), indicating its recognized stature in the global academic community.

## Body
### Classification and Identity
The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Science is formally classified as a research institute, an organizational entity whose primary purpose is the systematic generation of new knowledge. It is distinguished from related entities like think tanks (which focus on policy) and scientific societies (which are membership-based) by its operational role in conducting hands-on scientific investigation.

### History and Founding
The institute was established in 1960. It is named after Alexander Silberman and forms a key component of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's scientific infrastructure.

### Organizational Structure and Location
- **Parent Organization:** The institute is part of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Science.
- **Subdivisions:** The institute includes several major academic departments:
    - Hebrew University of Jerusalem Department of Genetics
    - Hebrew University of Jerusalem Department of Biological Chemistry
    - Hebrew University of Jerusalem Department of Neurobiology
- **Geographic Location:** It is situated in Jerusalem, Israel, with precise coordinates on the Givat Ram campus of the Hebrew University (latitude: 31.77252311634691, longitude: 35.19678756431225).

### Academic Scope and Scale
The institute has a student body of approximately 900 individuals, indicating its significant role in academic training alongside its research mission. Its research spans the core disciplines of life science housed within its departments.

### Digital and Institutional Presence
The institute maintains an official website in Hebrew. It is uniquely identified across multiple national and international systems:
- **Library Systems:** German National Library (GND ID: 1228053316), VIAF (127208195), National Library of Israel (J9U ID: 987007257375305171).
- **Research Portals:** Ringgold ID (98520), German Research Foundation's GEPRIS database (Organization ID: 185637313), and ResearchGate.
- **Online Presence:** It is documented on the Hebrew-language Wikipedia.

## References

1. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions